Four Day Work Week

Blackburn is proposing a four day work week wirh ten hour work days at City Hall, The Thomas Center and the City's H.R. Department.

"Start early in the morning, open at 7:30, work until 6 p.m., or even 6:30, lengthening the day but then go to a four-day-work-week. We would save about 100,000 dollars a year," said Blackburn.

While employees would be enjoying a longer weekend, the city could save money on their utility bills by turning off the lights and turning down the AC or heaters on Fridays.

City Commissioner Jack Donovan says he supports the idea because although city offices would be open one less day per week, he thinks the longer hours the other four days will actually benefit citizens more.

"That would allow people who are in a work situation who need to get to city hall to be able to do so after work much more comfortably, or before work even," said Donovan.

Donovan says another benefit is that employees will also be spending less money on gas to commute to work, and Blackburn agrees.

But Blackburn says he also realizes that some employees will not be able to work longer hours Monday thru Thursday because of childcare and other issues.

So Blackburn says the city is willing to work out a schedule with those employees where they can possibly telecommute.

"So we would have a predetermined amount of work they would have to do, and they do that from home potentially," said Blackburn.

The new work schedule would only be for employees who work in the administrative buildings. If City Commissioners approve the new four day work week proposal, it will go into effect at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1st.